PHOTOS: Universal Orlando Resort Guests Go Maskless in Outdoor Areas

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Soon after Orange County, Florida lifted its outdoor mask mandate, Universal Orlando Resort quickly followed suit. We visited both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure to see how things have changed. Stickers have been added to signs to indicate the updated mask policy. Universal Studios Florida Guests arriving early were mostly masked. Health … Read more

PHOTOS: Guests Walk Up Main Street U.S.A. Without Masks for First Time in 14 Months at Walt Disney World

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For the first time since March 2020, guests are permitted to walk around Walt Disney World’s theme parks without a face covering, per a shocking late night change in rules that have stood at the Orlando theme parks since their July 2020 reopening. WDWNT reporters were on the scene at the Magic Kingdom today to … Read more

UPDATE: Orange County Mayor Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate As Theme Parks Increase Capacity, Reduce Distancing

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Orange County, Florida reached a COVID vaccination rate of 50% of all adults age 16 and over today. Following the phased plans, Mayor Jerry Demmings has lifted the mandate that required masks outdoors. Masks are still mandated indoors for everyone age 2 and older. Both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are in … Read more

CDC Says Masks or Physically Distancing No Longer Necessary for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

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As the numbers of individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 continue to rise in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (better known as the CDC) has issued new guidance that radically changes the policies we’ve seen in the last year. In a briefing Thursday afternoon, the CDC confirmed that face masks and … Read more

BREAKING: Walt Disney World Removing 6 Feet Physical Distancing Requirements, Will Change to Less Distance in Select Locations

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We reported earlier that Universal Orlando Resort has reduced their physical distancing requirements for guests to three feet. With a change today on The Walt Disney World website, Disney may not be far behind. The “Returning to a World of Magic” page on DisneyWorld.com has this updated image, where the “6ft 2m” markings in the … Read more

PHOTOS: Digital Tip Boards Installed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, new digital tip boards have started to pop up after Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios received them in recent years. Currently, they are displaying face covering and current safety information. Eventually, they will showcase wait times and other park updates like the previously installed digital tip boards at the other … Read more

Temperature Checks at Table Service Restaurants Already Removed from Walt Disney World Website

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The verbiage on The Walt Disney World website has been updated to remove mention of temperature checks at resort table service restaurants: With the verbiage already changed to no longer reference sit-down restaurants, it seems that policy may have already changed, and thus, they may no longer be requited in order to dine. It does … Read more

PHOTOS: Universal Orlando Resort Installing 3-Foot Physical Distancing Markers

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Earlier this month, we reported that Universal Orlando Resort was swapping out its large physical distancing decals to much smaller markers, likely to make it simpler to adjust the distance. Now, we can confirm Universal Orlando has begun the process of moving the markers to only 3 feet apart, as they prepare to change their … Read more

Walt Disney World Reminding Guests Via App That They Have Not Changed Their Mask Policies, Also Encouraging Guests to Get Vaccinated

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Today’s announcement by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of the suspension of all local emergency orders had many wondering if the Orlando-area parks would change their policies. DeSantis’s actions invalidated the Orange County mask mandate. Now, Disney has released a push notification on the MyDisneyExperience mobile app that they will not be changing any COVID-19 safety … Read more

Johnny Crawford, Original Mouseketeer, Passes Away at 75

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Johnny Crawford, one of the original members of “The Mickey Mouse Club” when the show premiered in 1955, has passed away at 75, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Crawford was one of 24 kids who were Mouseketeers during the show’s first season, but was let go when the roster was reduced to 12 for season … Read more

“Book with Confidence” Flexible Cancellation Policy at Walt Disney World Set to End Next Week

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As a result of COVID-19 related travel issues, Walt Disney World Resort adopted a “Book with Confidence” flexible cancellation policy that began last year. As of May 1st, 2021, that policy is ending. Under this flexible policy, guests could “Book with Confidence” knowing that they would not be penalized for needing to change or cancel … Read more

BREAKING: Universal Studios Japan Closing April 25th Due to State of Emergency

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Although Japan has done incredibly well compared to other nations in controlling COVID-19, a massive spike of the highly contagious UK variant of the coronavirus has led Osaka Prefecture and two surrounding areas to declare a third State of Emergency. And updated guidelines for this emergency include provisions to close Universal Studios Japan starting April … Read more

UPDATE: Universal Studios Hollywood Issues Statement on Out-of-State Visitors

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We’ve been keeping you up-to-date today with news coming out of California regarding access to theme parks for out-of-state visitors. Now, Universal Studios Hollywood has released a statement. A spokesperson for Universal Studios Hollywood had this to say: “While visitation to our theme park is currently available to California residents only, we are assessing next … Read more

UPDATE: California State Officials Announce That Fully Vaccinated Out-of-State Visitors Are Welcome In Theme Parks

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Early today we reported that Disneyland had not changed their policy regarding admission of out-of-state guests. Now a spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health has confirmed to InPark Magazine that “fully vaccinated people from out of state are now permitted to participate in activities restricted to in-state visitors.” According to Scott Gustin, this … Read more

PHOTOS: A Walkthrough of the New Process for Filling Beverages at Self-Service Stations at Walt Disney World

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Today, Disney has changed their COVID-19 safety protocol to allow guests once again to fill their own beverages at self-service stations around Walt Disney World Resort. We checked out the new process for filling beverages in action at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. There are social distancing stickers set up at the station and in the line. … Read more

Guests Once Again Allowed to Fill Their Own Beverages at Self-Service Refill Stations at Walt Disney World

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Another COVID-19 safety procedure has been updated. Disney changed their website to reflect the new protocol, allowing guests to use self-service stations to fill their refillable mugs and beverages. Previously, guests had to be served by Cast Members since the parks reopened last summer. However, Blizzard Beach has been allowing guests to refill their own … Read more